SARATOGA – 9/1/2023
RACE 1: 9-3-6-5
#9 VESTURE is an interesting first timer by Hard Spun out of a mare who was a 2x turf winner. She has dropped two foals to race who could not run at all, but this gal is training forwardly and drew an advantageous outside post. If she has speed to offer it will greatly help her chances and her price should be appealing.
RACE 2: 1-5-8-3
#1 DOLOMITE is a firster by Unfied, whose progeny hit at a 16% clip as debuting 2YOs and the dam here was a 4x winner who took the Fleet Indian on her best day. This gal has trained well for her unveiling and the only clear knock is the rail draw. Should she run to her training, she’ll be tough to handle here.
RACE 3: 6-3-2-5
#6 RIBOT’S VALENTINE has found the wrong part of the racetrack in consecutive starts and is a candidate to rebound today at a price. She is drawn well outside of the other speed and doesn’t have to do the dirty work given the presence of other speed in this field. Her price will be fair and Ray Handal is one of the best around when it comes to dirt sprinters.
RACE 4: 2-1-5-7
Not that he really needed it, but #2 CARL SPACKLER is clearly the one to catch given the lack of pace in this field. He should be able to get well clear in the opening stages today and was incredibly sharp in victory last time out in the Hall of Fame. Now that he’s back in regular training he’s working his way back towards the top of this division.
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RACE 5: 6-5-8-4
#6 DRUM ROLL PLEASE is bred well for extra ground and did some mid-race running on debut. He understandably spun his wheels late that afternoon but will benefit from the experience and now goes a distance well within his scope. The presence of the runner to his inside ensures a square price as well given how much #5 LOCKED will be backed at the windows.
RACE 6: 3-8-5-2
#3 FOCUS POCUS ran a bang-up race on debut in a productive heat. She battled it out early before giving way late and the run-backs from that affair have perfomed well since. The 3rd place finisher, Lady Arwen, came back to break her maiden, and the winner, Caldwell Luvs Gold, took Sunday’s Seeking the Ante.
RACE 7: 8-1A-5-4
#8 EXPAND THE MAP was in a contending position before losing her way when moving around a stricken rivals. She should benefit from a cleaner trip today and has the versatility to be positioned anywhere early. Her speed, in fact, is a major weapon in this ultra competitive octet.
RACE 8: 4-8-1-7
There’s at least an argument to be made that #4 FIGHT FIERCELY ran a strong race last time out. He made a middle move before weakening late in his first start off a claim by Rudy Rodriguez. Look for improvement here as he should be able to lay back and make one run in a competitive affair.
RACE 9: 3-8-9-1
#3 KING MOONRACER gets the nod despite a poor effort last time out when he narrowly missed down at Monmouth. He’s back in NY one start after a smashing score with a perfect ride two starts back. He has been competitive against better on numerous occasions and should offer value today.
RACE 10: 5-9-2-8
#10 JUSTICE DEPARTMENT is a major threat on the surface switch today following a very poor run on the green. The post here is a major disadvantage, but scratches could easily reduce the field size. He has tactical speed and ran very well against better just two starts ago.
SARATOGA 2023 STATS: 367-97-55-59 $588.60
